News Release

For Immediate Release: October 1, 2002                                                                     

Contact:  Doran Sanchez, (909) 697-5220; E-MAIL: dasanche@ca.blm.gov

CA-610-03-02

 

Wild Mustang and Burro Adoption Headed to Ramona Fairgrounds

 

They are the living symbols of America's Wild West, and on October 5 and 6, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will offer 80 mustangs and 20 burros to qualified adopters through its Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program at the Ramona Fairgrounds in Ramona, California. The adoption is being held in conjunction with the third annual Ramona Information Days for Equestrians event.

 

The mustangs (yearlings, geldings and mares up to five years old) and burros were gathered from public lands in California and Nevada.  BLM monitors the herds and removes animals when they begin to over populate their herd area.  The removals ensure the rangelands will remain healthy for the remaining wild horses and burros, native wildlife, and permitted livestock.  The animals have been wormed and vaccinated and are in excellent health.

 

The wild mustangs and burros will arrive at the fairgrounds around noon Friday, October 4.   Potential adopters may view the animals on Friday and Saturday beginning at 7 a.m.  BLM staff will approve adoption applications Friday afternoon and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

 

The adoption will be conducted by oral competitive bid Saturday morning only from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., which provides all adopters an equal opportunity to adopt the animal of their choice.  Adopters will receive a bidder number once their application is approved, which they must have to participate in the competitive bid portion of the adoption. 

 

The minimum fee for the competitive bid will start at $125 per animal. Animals not selected during the competitive bid will be available for adoption on a first come, first served basis for the remainder of Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday for $125 per animal. 

 

Cash, check, or credit card may pay adoption fees.  The fees are used to help defray the cost of gathering and preparing the animals for adoption.  Qualified individuals with proper facilities may adopt up to four animals.

 

Individuals must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the United States, and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals.  Adopters also must have adequate facilities, the financial means to care for the animal(s), and should have some experience training or raising a horse or burro. 

 

Newly adopted wild horses or burros must be kept in an enclosed corral with a minimum area of 400 square feet (20' x 20' or larger) per animal.  Corral fences must be at least 4 feet high for burros and 6 feet high for ungentled horses.  Horses under 18 months of age may be kept in corrals with fences 5 feet high.  Fences should be of pole, pipe, or plank construction.  Barbed wire is not allowed in stalls or corrals.  The corral also must contain a structure to provide shelter for the animal.

 

Adopters should bring a nylon-web halter and 20-foot cotton lead rope for each animal.   A stock trailer will be required to transport the animal(s).  Drop ramp trailers will not be allowed.  The wranglers will load the animals into the trailers.  Private carriers also will be available to help adopters transport their newly adopted animal(s) home if needed.

 

During the weekend of the adoption, the public also will enjoy activities scheduled for the third annual Ramona Information Days for Equestrians (R.I.D.E.) event.  Activities will educational speakers, an equine services fair, swap meet, a Mexican buffet with entertainment Saturday evening, cowboy church Sunday morning, drawings and give-a-ways by event sponsors, and horse handling demonstrations with Jerry Tindell.

 

BLM also will provide free horse gentling and training demonstrations Saturday and Sunday by Phil West, who has adopted several mustangs during the past few years.  West is a mounted patrol officer with the Bishop Police Department and has used Abby, now a 10-year-old mustang, on the mounted patrol for seven years.  After each demonstration, the mustang will be offered for adoption.

 

Mustangs make excellent riding stock, and properly trained some adopted mustangs have become national champions in dressage, snaffle bit competitions, trail endurance, and jumping.  BLM wranglers and personnel will be available to answer questions and help adopters select their animals.

 

The process is called an "adoption" because BLM retains title to the animal for one year after the adoption.  During the year, a BLM or designated representative will visit each adopter to ensure the animal is being cared for and has a good home.  During this time, adopters cannot sell their adopted animal. Adopters must notify BLM if the animal is moved.

 

After the first year, adopters must apply for title.  BLM will pass title of the animal if all the stipulations of the adoption agreement have been met.  The animal becomes the private property of the adopter only after BLM transfers title, which completes the adoption process.  More than 185,000 animals have been placed in private homes since the Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program began in 1973.

 

For more information about the Ramona adoption or the Bureau's Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program, contact Doran Sanchez at (909) 697-5220, and for additional information about the R.I.D.E. events scheduled throughout the weekend contact Patty Bevers, event coordinator, at (760) 788-0897.

 

-BLM-

 

 

NOTE TO EDITORS:  Photographers and reporters are welcome to attend the adoption anytime.  We will deliver the animals about noon on Friday, October 4, which generally provides excellent photo opportunities.  Or, if you would prefer, come Saturday and Sunday morning and interview and photograph adopters with their newfound friend(s).  For more information contact Doran Sanchez at (909) 697-5220.

 

 

California Desert District Office - 6221 Box Springs Blvd, Riverside, California - (909) 697-5220